With an over-abundance of distractions leading up to this evening’s game, an uncomfortable stumpy sense of oomph filled the Amway Arena.
Struggling to retain a teetering fifth place in the conference, The Knicks and Magic had more on the line than a final score. Then again, the disturbing calmness during warm-ups and players introduction caught me off guard… in typical Orlando fashion, the crowd harmonized silence with stillness.
Starting the game with a crumb, Dwight approached center-stage less his traditional good-time tone. With tip arose filtered squeaks, urging plug-in’s electric effect and an end of the temper tantrums (you know who I’m talking about). Howard controlled the toss effortlessly as Nelson navigated the dribble. After an initial miss, New York cleaned the way with a three-point netter. Dwight reciprocated with a left handed air ball, landing softly into the arms of an awaiting clutch.
Glen Davis drew first for Orlando after an aggressive offensive rebound. Several misses later, Turkoglu captured Orlando’s first and fleeting lead with an uncontested layup. B. Davis regained the advantage a few stutter-steps later. Looking out of sync, Howard and pals pretended after five minutes of play, taking the lead 13 to 9 off a steal by Superman.
Feeling dissed by the lack of calls, New York was whistled for a technical at the 4:47 spot. Not to be un-done, seconds later, Shumpert sliced those in the way for a loose ball, tripping Turkoglu (who happened to be in the way) to pressed wood and to the bench. Pretending to not let the game get out of control, the whistle suddenly found life and a delay of game warning against Howard after his second offensive travel.
Missing Van Gundy’s memo, Howard neglected to take charge, opted to coast the final three minutes of play, the last 19 seconds surfing on the bench.
End of the first found too many empty seats and not enough determination as the Knicks battled back from an early deficit to take a buzzer-beating lead, 23 to 21.
- Van Gundy styled like a champ though noticeably subdued on the sidelines, what’s up on that?
- Howard, guilty of three turnovers, left all to believe his mind was somewhere other than the game; where do you think that could be?
- Knicks shot 32% while the Magic hit 43%.
Orlando opened the second quarter with Glen Davis fighting to gain an in-your-face layup. Still lacking a defense stance, New York came back with a rapid 8 unanswered points. Trailing 31 to 23, Orlando needed an off-court chat.
Detecting the effects of a hypnotizing intervention orchestrated by Gundy (and Howard still riding the bench), Glen Davis shouldered two points and a trip to the line. After hitting his freebie, the Knicks lead was cut to 5. Too quick to celebrate and lacking three-point defense, the Knicks responded with two quick bombs, their lead pushed back to 11.
Dwight re-entered the game with 6:49 to go in the half and in the hole by 8. Immediately Nelson served up a turnover, Knicks accepted graciously by hitting a 12-footer. After exchanging three-point shots for most of the better part of the final 6 minutes, the Magic awoke to find themselves down by 12, 56 to 44.
First twenty-four in a shell:
- Perhaps due to a sore back, Howard lacked intensity, mental and physical (racking up a total 4 rebounds and an alarming ZERO points—hey, I’m no doctor but even I can make this prognosis).
- Glen Davis played strong, grabbed 5 rebounds and sucked up 13 points (hitting 6 on 9 attempts).
- If you’re wondering if Hedo’s blood was red, it is. With 134 ticks remaining, Hedo was formally introduced to the ground (for the second time in as many quarters) on his way to being called for a defensive foul; a spring of ambrosia established release.
- New York’s shooting percentage propelled to 49%.
Imagining how Van Gundy’s halftime pep went, the third quarter instigated with more empty seats than when the second quarter concluded. Dwight began the third, eyeing a reboot of the first. Chandler spoiled the connection by drowning a slam in Howard’s face.
Dwight was called for his fourth foul 180 seconds into the half.
Lacking points to call his own, Howard was sent to the line at the 8:28 mark and Orlando down by 12… missed the first, missed the second. Next possession it became overtly obvious the referees wanted to keep this a close game by NOT calling blatant slaps against the Magic.
Down 65 to 51 and playing like a posse of misfits, the Magic called time out for a circle chat. Moments in, Nelson canned a three. Could fairy dust have been sprinkled on the Magic and a timely happy ending be in the making? Do I really need to answer?
After thirty-six minutes of some of the worst basketball in Orlando Magic history, the home team trailed 76 to 61:
- Howard scored his first points with 3.5 seconds remaining on an unchallenged dunk.
- Turnovers proved to be an unkind companion, Magic steered the way with 11.
- Carmelo Anthony headed all with 19 points.
Magic began the quarter with an inspiring turnover, leading to an easy New York layup. Dwight returned the favor shortly thereafter by accepting his fifth foul yet remained in the game. Currently down 78 to 61, an official timeout was called due to an official executing a double tumble.
Fan Flight: Ticket holders departed earlier than usual as the initial exodus inaugurated with 9:33 remaining in the game.
Down 85 / 66 with 7:50 to go, the Magic called timeout to discuss tactics for a final surge. Dribbling cross court, Nelson found Wafer who aggressively missed a two-footer. Needless to say, nothing of significance altered tonight’s destiny.
Lacking the defensive intensity to claw back, Orlando needed more than fairy dust to get out of this funk. Sparing you the discomfort of having to relive the final five minutes of the game, let’s just call it what it was: an old-fashioned spanking.
Final score: New York 96, Orlando 80.
Not knowing what rumors will surface tomorrow, I remain on the lookout for a Pulitzer.
Danny Huffman
Education Career Services
Shadow me on Twitter: @dannyatecs
